Submitted to the Optic
Internationally acclaimed guitarist Ryan McGarvey will headline Music on the Rocks, one of New Mexico’s most anticipated live music festivals, this Saturday at Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort. Although he’s shared the bill with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Joe Bonamassa, Government Mule, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, he can’t wait to show off his “fiery guitar chops” in his home state.

By Juan Carlos Llorca and Russell Contreras
Associated Press
LAS CRUCES — Seven couples were waiting outside when the Doña Ana County courthouse opened Thursday and more from across New Mexico and Texas were expected to flock to the border town as the country clerk for a second day was granting marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.

Whether before or after consolidation, few people in Las Vegas history have left a larger footprint than Ivan J. Hilton, who arrived here from Chicago in 1928 suffering from tuberculosis, seeking recovery in the salubrious climate of northern New Mexico. Born in Springfield in 1898, Hilton had been a successful Chicago stock broker and businessman.

THUMBS UP! MAINSTREET SECURES $75,000 FOR PROJECT
Congratulations to MainStreet de Las Vegas for securing a $75,000 capital outlay award from the state Economic Development Department. The money is earmarked for renovations of the first floor of the E. Romero Hose and Fire Building on Bridge Street. The goal is to turn the building into a museum to honor the history of the city’s firefighters.

The Mora 4-H members showed what a hard working skilled group they, their parents and leaders are when one sees the results of the judging at the Mora/San Miguel County Fair. There were champions in several categories. Also the Fair Queen and Princess were from Mora.

Well, I never dreamed I’d be reviewing a just-published book about Mora County and the somewhat historic events that happened here and in Alaska a few decades ago.
“Pilgrim’s Wilderness: A true story of faith and madness on the Alaskan Frontier,” has just been published by Crown Press, and is written by Tom Kizzia, a longtime reporter for the Alaskan Newspaper, the Anchorage Daily News.

By Barry Massey
The Associated Press
SANTA FE — A public employees union urged Gov. Susan Martinez’s administration on Wednesday to test state buildings near downtown Santa Fe for possible environmental contamination to determine whether it’s a source of worker health problems.
Communications Workers of America local president Donald Alire said workers in the Public Education Department and other agencies have complained of respiratory problems and other illnesses for several years.